Posts Tagged ‘Denver’

Thank you to everyone who responded to my self-esteem survey! Your input and opinions are very appreciated! If you haven’t yet taken the survey, it will be open a bit longer; you may access it by going to this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LT3Y535. Everyone who completes the survey is automatically entered into a drawing for two to attend an upcoming Heartlight Girls self-esteem program! (All details in the previous blog post below).

We are looking for participants to feature in a few videos we are filming which will share the challenges girls face today with self-esteem. This can be your opportunity to help others, and have fun getting some national exposure! On-camera interviews will take place in the Denver area June 17-19. Here’s what we are looking for:

1. Heartlight Girls/Teens - Girls ages 7 & over and teens who are familiar with the “Heartlight” concept (meaning you’ve read Beauty’s Secret: A Girl’s Discovery of Inner Beauty and/or you’ve attended a Heartlight Girls program) and can speak about shining your light bright – as well as how/where you feel challenged sometimes in doing so. Parents of these girls to be interviewed as well if possible.

2. Girls who are experiencing issues, such as bullying, low self-esteem & low self-worth, body image issues, friendship problems, eating disorders, self-injurious behavior, suicide thoughts or attempts, etc. Extreme cases can be filmed with your identity hidden if preferred.

3. Parents concerned with what their daughters & other girls are facing today, i.e. bullying, unhealthy media, negative role models, peer pressure, etc.

4. Elementary/Middle School Counselors, Principals, Teachers – who can speak about the increase, drama, and dangers of bullying and other girl issues in their schools and in schools today

5. Doctors, Psychologists, Therapists – who work with girls/women and can speak about the dangers of low self-esteem

6. Are you a girl, or do you know one, who is doing amazing and powerful things that will inspire others? We’d love to interview and feature you!

If you, or someone you know, fits one of these categories, is in the Denver area, and can film a brief interview, please email me ASAP at debragano@aol.com. Please let me know your name, email, phone number, category you fit into, age (girls/teens only), and the topic or issue you would like to discuss. Also… Read the rest of this entry »

Debra Gano is the Director for the Young Authors League (YAL) and the President of the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring school-age children to read and write.

This past year, YAL organized a Student Short Story Writing Competition titled, “Making the World a Better Place,” in which fourth and fifth grade students of the Cherry Creek School District in the Denver area were invited to submit a short story or artwork expressing this inspiring theme.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the publication of the Young Authors League book, Making the World a Better Place: Student Stories about Making a Difference!

Please be sure to leave a comment below, love to hear from you!!!

Last summer, YAL finalists, parents, and teachers, were brought together for a writing workshop conducted by Debra Gano, author Penny Holguin, and editor Faye Quam Heimerl. The goal of the workshop was to fine-tune the stories and give writing tips to the students prior to submitting their final entries. “The enthusiasm for writing from these students is amazing…and their passion for the theme is so inspiring!” says Gano, author of the award-winning children’s book series, the Heartlight Girls. “You can’t believe some of the great topics!”

CONGRATULATIONS STORY & ART WINNERS!

Buffalo Trail Elementary School

STORY: Elizabeth Berrington

ART: Lindsay Stolting, Sarah Nicholas, Natalie Schauls, Matison Music, Bailey Mattice, Ashley Dale, Maddie Martinez, Bridget Mann, Elizabeth Berrington, Sonoma Olson, Olivia Pare

Canyon Creek Elementary School

STORY: Emily Eads

ART: Jessica Tan

Challenge School

STORY: Stephanie Bang, Calista Bowen, Tessakiree Garber, Jewell Humphrey

ART: Kathleen Sullivan, Kai Smith

Cimarron Elementary School

STORY: Duaa Qamar

Coyote Hills Elementary School

STORY: Makenzie Hendon, Jessica Kantra, Jaime Paterson

Dry Creek Elementary School

STORY: Avery Blackman, Edwin Bosch, Morgan Jenney, Hailey Natvig, Arianne Pusey, Kayla Rondinelli, Emily Webb, Madison Weber

ART: Hailey Natvig, Kira Kirkendell, Kayla Rondinelli

Heritage Elementary School

STORY & ART: Libby Geraghty

Indian Ridge Elementary School

STORY: Sophie Goodwin

ART: Cole Johnson

Peakview Elementary School

STORY: Jane Higa, Lizzie Hoelscher

Sagebrush Elementary School

STORY: Leah Gibson, Josiah Kim, Alyssa King, Samuel Roces

Sunrise Elementary School

STORY: Raeshonique Luarks

ART: Taylor Pinson

Village East Elementary School

STORY: Helen Lee, Tanzilla Purnota, Gavin Woldu

Please leave a comment below,

we would love to hear from you!

As the Director for the Young Authors League (YAL) and the President of the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring school-age children to read and write, I’ve very excited to share our lastest project!

This past year, YAL organized a Student Short Story Writing Competition titled, “Making the World a Better Place,” in which fourth and fifth grade students of the Cherry Creek School District in the Denver area were invited to submit a short story or artwork expressing this inspiring theme.

It is with great pleasure that I announce the publication of the Young Authors League book, Making the World a Better Place: Student Stories about Making a Difference!

From Fearless Foam-Fighters to an argument between a fork and a spoon, and from the Get Things Done Girls to the power of a smile, this is a delightful collection of inspiring short stories and artwork by the students themselves. Experience the insights, as well as the talents, of these amazing students, and find out for yourself how to make the world a better place…you may be inspired to do the same!

Purchase your copy now for $14.00.  All proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation to continue developing and implementing literacy programs for students which bring out their potential and build their excitement for reading and writing.

For a list of winners, participating schools, comments, and information on upcoming YAL events, please visit http://debragano.com/young-authors-league1/.

Join us on EARTH DAY, APRIL 22, from 4-8 pm as we launch Making the World a Better Place at Barnes & Noble in Southlands Mall, Aurora, Colorado! Click HERE for more information!